Have you ever withdrawn from a relationship?
Listen to how I withdrew from my DIL and then reconnected, as well as 5 tips that will prevent further distance and potential misunderstandings.
Welcome to Lovin My Daughter-in-law Podcast, where my mother-in-law relationship expert and master certified coach LeAnn Austin, will help you create more love and connection with your daughter-in-law and everyone else you care about.
Hey y’all, you’re listening to Lovin My Daughter-in-law, episode #121: Withdraw
Have you ever noticed yourself withdrawing from a relationship? You physically or emotionally disengage from a situation? I’m guessing most of us have experienced this with someone in our lives. And I hear it quite frequently with the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.
When I first met one of my daughters-in-law, I noticed myself doing this. Later, as I was thinking about why I did this, I realized I had some judgments about her. And rather than being proactive and addressing what I was thinking and feeling about her, I pulled back and I withdrew.
Thankfully, I’ve learned a lot over the past seven years and know that withdrawing from a relationship with someone that is part of my family and that I truly want to love, is not a very helpful solution. Of course, it is totally normal that we do it, and It’s also so beneficial to get curious as to why, so that we can love more than judge.
If you’ve noticed yourself withdrawing from a relationship, here are five tips that will prevent further distance and potential misunderstandings.
Number one, pause. Take time for a little self-reflection about why you’re withdrawing from the relationship. Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or disconnected? Do you have some judgments about the other person or yourself? Understanding the underlying reasons can help us address the issue more effectively.
Number two, be vulnerable. Share your feelings of vulnerability or discomfort with the other person. Opening up about your struggles can deepen trust and create more connection in the relationship. Be willing to listen to their perspective as well.
Number three, set boundaries. If you’re withdrawing because you feel overwhelmed or need space, communicate your boundaries clearly from a place of love. Let the other person know what you need in terms of time and space. Remember we can’t control other people, so when you set a boundary, share your request and the consequences of what you will do, not what they need to do, if the request is not met.
Number four, self care. Make sure you are loving you. If you’re not sure how to do this, join my Connection Crew Program, where I have a whole course in our program on ways to love and take care of ourselves, which makes it so much easier to love and care for others. Prioritize self care activities you enjoy and that help you recharge and reconnect with you. Taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.
And number five, be patient. Building and maintaining healthy relationships takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and the other person as you navigate the process of reconnecting and rebuilding trust.
And a bonus tip. Get help and contact me! Every day I help my clients create more fun and connection in their relationships. There are so many benefits to having a coach, which is why I have a couple of them.
Join Connection Crew or my one-on-one Hybrid Coaching Program, and I’ll help you really understand why you’re withdrawing and support you as you rebuild the relationship again. I’m trained to provide guidance and support tailored to your specific needs. Let’s strengthen your mental and emotional muscles together.
So a quick recap when you start to withdraw. Pick one of these five things and try it out. Let me know how it goes.
Pause. Be vulnerable. Set boundaries. Take care of you. And be patient.
Remember that withdrawing from relationships is a common experience, and it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the relationship. By taking one of these proactive steps, you will create more connection. And I’m always here to help you add a little more fun and love too.
I heard a great quote from Donna Goddard: “We mustn’t withdraw from human interaction because it can be difficult. It keeps us grounded and helps us to grow through real and challenging situations. We do not need to decide which community to belong to. We just live life to the best of our ability and follow our interests, and we will find ourselves within a community of people perfect for our growth.” Hmm, something to think about.
Have a good one y’all, and here’s to withdraw awareness, connection, and love.
If this podcast resonates with you, share it with a friend and leave a review.
If you enjoyed this podcast, check out LeAnn’s Connection Crew Program, where she coaches and teaches a variety of ways to have more fun and connection in our relationships. LeAnn also shares the five secrets she uses to create a beautiful relationship with me and her other daughter-in-law. She’s the real deal! I highly recommend you check this out.
And if you want one easy question you can keep in your back pocket and use to increase the love you feel for your daughter-in-law today, go to leannaustin.com and get the one question.
